Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Alabama in Fight Over Taxes on its Casinos

While Escambia County Commission Chairman David Stokes says it’s “non-negotiable” that the tribe’s casinos begin to pay property taxes, a spokesman for the tribe said that if it happened the casinos would no longer be able to operate.

The tribe has argued they already invest million of dollars a year in the county and they also pay the County Commission $100,000 a year to spend as they see fit.

The county’s argument is based on the US Supreme Court case Catcieri v. Salazar and county officials say million of dollars are at stake, even more if try look to collect taxes retroactively.